Nassau County Official Lied About Felony Conviction on Job Applications: DA

A high-ranking Nassau County government official was arraigned Thursday for lying about a felony conviction on sworn job applications to be hired at various county jobs, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

Edward Korona, Jr., 53, of Hicksville, faces a 12-count indictment on the following charges: four counts of second degree perjury, four counts of first degree offering a false instrument for filing and four counts of first degree making an apparently false sworn statement in the first degree.

District Attorney’s office held an investigation into county contracts and the county approval process, which meant that the qualifications and professional background of Korona, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, and others involved in the administration of contracts were subject to review.

It was revealed in September that Korona had a prior criminal conviction and lied about his alleged crimes while applying for various civil service positions in Dec. 2007, Feb. 2010, April 2010 and June 2013.

He was arrested on Oct.15.

According to the DA, Korona checked off “No” to the question, “Except for the above traffic offenses, have you ever been convicted of any violation, misdemeanor, or felony?” on each form.

The DA’s Office did not include what felony Korona allegedly committed.

“Integrity in government is paramount and it is a serious offense for a high-ranking official with important responsibilities to repeatedly lie about his or her criminal history,” Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a press release.

Korona’s position in the Office of Emergency Management is appointed and he is not accused of any crimes related to contracts, the DA says.

He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Jan. 8. Korona faces a maximum sentence of 1-⅓ to 4 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.

Image via NCDA